Fluval EDGE SW

jasonG75

jasonG75

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Jun 1, 2010
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Memphis, TN
Hello friends... I have come asking questions.

I know the rule of thumb when it comes to any aquarium larger is better. In this case I can't do larger 1. Money and 2. Wife says no. I currently am running a 75g planted HiTech system and there cant be another large tank. But I have the perfect place for this little modern setup.

So after searching the web (for images) on the Fluval Edge, looking into a DSM for it. I ran across this image and thought, COULD I?
fts2-600x349.jpg

I have always wanted a SW tank, but the prices for equip are crazy expensive & I have no experiance in sump setups.
I know there are things I will have to adjust..1 being the lighting. Fluval does now have an attachment that can be added but I still think more light will be required.
Going to go with minimal sand, I know live sand isnt the best choice and neither is "playsand" because of the silica (sp) which create diatoms. So what is the best sand to use?

Going to go with LR, Coral, inverts, and I have to have an anemone (Banded Coral Shrimp, snails, dwarf Hermits) I would really like a Sea Star IF it didnt get to big for the setup. I would also like an Urchin. To keep with my planted ROOTS I would also like to throw in Haliptilon sp

Fish:
Black & White Ocellaris (2) or 1 (you recommend)
FireFish (2)
Unless there is something else someone can suggest. I would like to thow in a sandsifter if that was possible or a globy.

Any and ALL advise is appreciated, and I am not one of those NEWBIES that takes advise and throws it to the wind because it ISNT what they wanted to hear.

fts2-600x349.jpg
 
fishndude said:
You could do that but I would watch the clown fish with firefish because clowns can get aggressiveand firefish are passive.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't have a problem dropping the clowns at all, I do want a peacful tank.
 
OK ... well what about testing equipment, what's needed to start the cycle and test it. I know the 1st thing I will buy is the Marine liquid test Kit (API) But what about test equip?

Also looking in to a mini (nano) protein skimmer

FWIW - no fish are going to be harmed, and I have no problem letting it sit up for a month for the cycle. (my dirted 75 set up for a month and 1/2 before any fish were transfered)
All I care about right now is putting together a Bill or Materials.

SO far on my List is :
Edge
LR
hydrometer
Hydor Koralia Nano 240
argonite sand
Small Counter Current Protein Skimmer

I want to set myself up for success, seeing that the size tank will be difficult. So lets forget livestock and talk Equipment.
 
beats me, I am at the same stage of Research, Reading and Ruminating that you are. But I am going to follow this one very closely since I am also at the same stage you are re: wanting a SW tank and being forbidden by Significant Other to add any more tanks, so I will have to shift one of my 10g fw to salt. If you can do this in an Edge, which iirc is 6g or thereabouts, the same gear you use should work in a 10g.

get busy. :)
 
I think I have made a decision that I wont go with the EDGE (after reading a nano reef site)
1: Little complicated due to the one opening on the top.
2: This is designed really for FW and comes with substrate (which I wont use)

I have decided to go with either a 10gal or 15gal. I would like to use my "extra" T8 strip lights that I have. Now I just have to measure the space where I plan to put this, because a 20 was to high.
 
glad to hear you have scratched the Edge; those Fluval nanos are, imho, ludicrously overpriced albeit of lovely design. If you still wanted a purely desktop system (which rather rules out even a 10g unless you have a rilly rilly big desk) you might consider this kit setup over at Foster&Smith's joint. Even smaller at 3g than the Edge but has all the basic ingredients right out of the box. As you will see in reviews people are not universally thrilled with the light that comes with, but I would consider a different light in any event for sw/reef setup. You would still need the sw gear like hydrometer, salt (duh) and the like; whether you need a heater would depend on the type of stuff you wanted to keep. The problem of course is that in such a tiny volume adding any equipment like heater, powerhead etc may take away too much of the already very limited water space.

this one is the glass model for $42. In tir last catalog they had a very similar product in acrylic for a bit more, $60, however I do not find it on their website now so they may have gotten rid of it.
 
jasonG75 said:
OK ... well what about testing equipment, what's needed to start the cycle and test it. I know the 1st thing I will buy is the Marine liquid test Kit (API) But what about test equip?

Also looking in to a mini (nano) protein skimmer

FWIW - no fish are going to be harmed, and I have no problem letting it sit up for a month for the cycle. (my dirted 75 set up for a month and 1/2 before any fish were transfered)
All I care about right now is putting together a Bill or Materials.

SO far on my List is :
Edge
LR
hydrometer
Hydor Koralia Nano 240
argonite sand
Small Counter Current Protein Skimmer

I want to set myself up for success, seeing that the size tank will be difficult. So lets forget livestock and talk Equipment.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you have done some homework and I agree with not going with the Fluval. Cool little tanks but just not the right design for SW. I personally like the 10-15 gallon approach but you could also look into something like an 8 gallon biocube which is about the same cost as the Fluval and would require less modifications. If you got a good deal you could upgrade the PC lighting to LEDs (something like an Ecoxotic Panorma strip or some DIY LEDs). The stock PC bulbs in the biocube will grow many corals in the mean time though.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewi...campaign=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_content=OA82050

Small tanks like these should not house hosting species of anemones due to instability and sheer size. Clowns are a bit too big for these systems as well. Invert tanks and/or small fish like small watchmen gobies (some get big) would be good choice. Firefish would work. A yasha goby and a candy stripe pistol shrimp is hard to beat in tanks desktop systems.

10-15 gallon tank will no doubt be your most flexible choice in terms of equipment and is still small enough to light a tank with some good LEDs for fairly cheap. Personally I would go this direction using an in tank skimmer (have never read a bad review of this skimmer...http://www.marinedepot.com/Hydor_Ko...n_Skimmers-Hydor_USA-HD00771-FIPSISNW-vi.html), either a PAR 38 LED bulb (http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_PAR38_LED_Aquarium_Lamp_-Ecoxotic-XX06850-FILTBULD-vi.html) or you also use a Panorama strip or two or maybe mix in the cheaper Stunner strips to get the color where you want it. I would get 2 of the small Koralia's if you went with a 10-15 gallon standard tank. Might even add a small HOB filter like a Aquaclear 30 or 50 to run some media and filter floss/sponge as needed.

Sounds like you are on the right track. Look forward to seeing your progress!
 
greech said:
Sounds like you have done some homework

I would get 2 of the small Koralia's if you went with a 10-15 gallon standard tank. Might even add a small HOB filter like a Aquaclear 30 or 50 to run some media and filter floss/sponge as needed.

Sounds like you are on the right track. Look forward to seeing your progress!
Click to expand...

Thanks, I actually went to another forum that specialized in this area. And I plan to use the ac70 modded as a refrig and 2 240's

My other question as setting up a QT. I was going to go with a 5gal but what equip is essential for a QT?
 
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